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New 2017 Yamaha PW-X Ebike Motor

Yamaha’s New 500Wh PW-X E-Bike Motor

Fully Charged is pleased to bring you a world exclusive from Japan (Germany) on their SDuro ebike motors in Haibike e-bikes. We have been lucky enough to be invited to the Haibike 2017 launch event in Germany and there is lots of exciting news to bring back to London.

The biggest news from the event is courtesy of Yamaha. They have spent 2016 working on the PW motor that was launched in 2015 and have created the PW-X. This new motor is promoted as offering a pure, more authentic ride.

Just as Bosch did in 2016, Yamaha have upgraded their battery so that now they can offer a 500wh. This you would expect from anyone taking their ebike motors seriously, but is that it?

Definitely not, the 2016 motor is 13% smaller and 11% lighter (PW – 3.4kg/PW-X – 3.1kg) this has been realised by making a hollow axle shift and thinning the case.

In 2016, Yamaha didn’t alter much on their motor, they did add a fourth power mode (eco +) and 2017 will see a fifth (extra power) this new mode allows the release of further power held by the motor thanks to the improved cooling effect of the new design. This helps riders recover from tight turns or climbing even steeper slopes.

In order to reduce the mechanical lag they have reduced the friction in the ratchet mechanism, this is also aided by the lighter moving parts (axle shaft)

eConnect App

Are you worried about the security of your bike? eConnect now has a GPS tracking system so you will always know where your bike is. It has a small internal battery if needed, otherwise it uses a small amount of power from the battery of the bike.

You also have access to ride data through the eConnect App.

This will be released with on a number of Haibike 2017 models, and will also be available to retro fit onto any Yamaha Haibike’s.

New Controller

2017 will also see an upgraded ergonomic controller making their new bikes much easier to operate during any type of riding.

All of these innovations are great, but we have saved the best till last, the all new interface. The new standard Yamaha ‘screen’ is simple and tough designed to let the rider concentrate on their ride but what is most exciting is the integrated screen into the stem of the bicycle (picture) Not only does this give their bikes a unique un ebike look but it also combats a number of other issues such as theft and durability in the case of crashing.

Conclusion

2016 saw Bosch release the Cx motor, which was ultimately the same as their older performance motor just inverted in the frame, with the same intuvia screen albeit with 500wh battery options and extra torque. The Yamaha PW-X is smaller and lighter, stronger and should be just as reliable and if they carry on their previous trend, it will be a lot more affordable than the equivalent Bosch system.

10 thoughts on “New 2017 Yamaha PW-X Ebike Motor”

The new Yamaha fixed screen, looks terrible. I really hope they don’t so this. I like been able to remove my screen. Also having a fixed screen makes the bike easier to steal. The new screen looks tiny as well. I like the big screen and been able to read the display with out glasses.

Don’t agree with your definition of “the best”, I’m afraid. Far and away the best thing about the PW-x over the PW is the extended cadence range: the idea that the old motor’s assist would significantly tail off from 80 rpm down to nothing at about 100 rpm, was enough to put me right odd the PW.

Having assistance well into triple-figure cadences is hugely appealing.

I think the new motor and characteristics look very very promising. Good that they released a 500w battery pack as well. However the design of the new controller and screen really look like some electronics from the 1980’s. Just look at the fonts on the screen example, it’s plain old school “Seiko watch design”, a bulky (optically I mean) and retro look & feel. That’s a pity because this type of innovation would be much better suited with a nice minimalistic and ultra smooth design. Anyway, hopefully the screen can be replaced by a smartwatch app soon. Regarding the motor characteristics: thumbs up.

Is Yamaha considering in developing a separate PW-X unit that can be attached on a bike in order to convert many current nonelectric bicycles into electric Center Drive ones? I am under the impression that this unit is only made and installed for Haibikes?

Giant and some other companies will be using this motor too – it’s not unique to Haibike – but there’s zero chance of it being sold as an upgrade for non e-bikes, as it needs a a frame to be explicitly designed for it.

I for one like the display and controller. Then a higher cadence….Great. When blazing trails and hills at break neck speeds, it’s rare to look down. If I just had a level display and a bluetooth connections to a app on my phone that would be great.

After trying out a bike with the Bosch Active motor I was
not happy with the price ! against a hub motor performance.
The 15.5mph max speed is a Joke– 18 to 20mph would be
a lot better on some roads.
Mike.

I realise that governments have Laws and have reduce the original assist output of this motor to cut out at 25 kph.

So what is the Yamaha limit on the best running assist to cut out at. Under the Yamaha warranty what is the assist to be allow to cut out at so not to overload the motor If there is a fault. In Australia the cut out is 27kph. In other counrties this differ. So Yamaha would of design the motor with a certain assist cut out to avoid overload. Can You tell what is highest assist kph.s cut out you can run the Yamaha PW-X motor under the recommended Yamaha warranty.

Firstly it depends on the country in which you are riding in. In the UK motors are limited to 250W and a speed of 25km/h.
Generally derestricting will void the warranty from Yamaha, but these motors are capable of doing near on 45km/h